Annual Canvass

Every year the Crown and Elections team, on behalf of the Electoral Registration Officer, need to check who lives at each address and update the records of who is eligible to vote and serve on a jury.

This is done by writing out to each household and asking for the details held to be checked and updated if required. The information collated is used to create the electoral register which is a record of eligible voters.

Not being registered to vote can affect a person’s credit reference history and result in an application for a mortgage, loan or mobile phone contract being refused.

It is a legal requirement to respond to the annual canvass, even if an individual chooses not to exercise their democratic right to vote.

The Annual Canvass usually begins on 1 January and you should expect to receive your Household Enquiry Form (HEF) shortly after.

This form contains the people we have registered at your property. You need to either confirm these details are correct or tell us about any changes.

The total number of HEF's sent during the 2020 Canvass was 40,328.

How to respond to your household enquiry form

All properties must respond to the HEF even if there is no change to the information. Please respond as soon as possible online or by post following the instructions on the HEF. An early response will avoid the need to send reminders.

If you cannot respond online you can post your form back to us in the pre-paid envelope provided.

Computers are available for use at the Welcome Centre in Douglas for anyone who wishes to respond online, but does not have access to the internet.

People who respond online do not need to return the Household enquiry form.

Sample form

The form you receive will look like the sample form below and will contain a pre-paid envelope too.